2016 saw another increase in the numbers of participants in the CDXC DX Marathon Challenge, 287, up from 255 last year. Unfortunately, with declining band conditions, there was a slight drop in the numbers of DXCC entities to work, with positions in the Challenge table showing on average 5 DXCCs less than last year. Participants represented 45 DXCC entities on 4 continents.

Oms PY5EG took top honours again this year as the overall top scoring member, with 283 DXCCs worked, followed by Ron WN4N with 278 DXCCs worked. Gary ZL2IFB was third this year from his challenging location, with 274 DXCCs worked. Once again, the competition was close, with the top 24 participants within 90% of the winners.

The race for top score in the CW competition was very close indeed, with Ron WN4N edging out last year’s winner Lionel G5LP by one DXCC with 263 vs. 262. The top score for the SSB competition was won by Gert PA2LO at 254, with stiff competition from Steve G1XOW at 247.

The top Intermediate score was by Paul 2E1AYS for the third year with 172, while there were no entries in the Foundation category. (I hope that everyone will encourage new DXers to join the Challenge in 2017!) David MØOSA was the winner in the Rookie category again this year, the last year he will be eligible for this category. The top scoring non-member was Marvin VE3VEE with an all-20M entry of 276 – his 5 element monobander and flat terrain may have something to do with his score (see the photo at QRZ.com).